The Chronicle
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- podcast· 1h 43m· Ep 867
Brynn Bradley: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Brynn Bradley. In this interview, Brynn speaks about her journey into the wine industry and how her experiences shape her career path. Next, she discusses her early life, explaining that she was born in the Bay Area but did not know much about wine when she was younger. She became interested in wine and viticulture later and decided to study wine business at Cal Poly. During college, she worked her first harvest in 2014, which helped her realize she wanted to shift toward winemaking rather than just the business side. Brynn explains some of her early work experiences. Working part-time at August Ridge Cellar where she learned a lot about the industry, as well as completing an internship with Robert Craig, and after finishing school in 2017, traveling to New Zealand to work a harvest before moving to Oregon because of the nature of the state. Finally, Brynn speaks about being accepted into a masters program. She shares that she wants to learn how to conduct resear
- podcast· 1h 15m· Ep 866
Gabriel Jagle: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Gabriel Jagle of Scenic Valley Farms. In this interview, Gabriel talks about learning about the world by tasting wine and making a wine that has soul and personality. Gabriel talks about learning to taste wine while working at Trader Joe’s and a few wine shops in California. By tasting wines from around the world, he was able to learn about each place. He affirms that both drinking wine and learning about wine are social and communal. Gabriel discusses moving to Oregon to learn about winemaking after feeling burnt out on wine sales. Though he had a rough start in the industry, he finally felt things click working at Illahe Vineyards. During this time he also attended Chemeketa chemistry and winemaking courses. Later in the interview, Gabriel talks about beginning to make wine at Scenic Valley Farms, which had been a client at Illahe. At Scenic Valley he is granted both the freedom to experiment with the wines and the tools and resources of the farm at large. Sinc
- podcast· 2h 25m· Ep 865
Boone McCoy-Crisp: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Boone McCoy-Crisp of Lumos Wine. In this interview, Boone talks about growing up in the Oregon wine industry and the seeming inevitability that he would end up working in it. He talks about the early history of his family's vineyard and his father Dai Crisp's entry into the wine industry. Later, he talks about his childhood memories of being in vineyards, and how he slowly started to work with the family business. He speaks of his time at Middlebury College and of the way he slowly learned more and more about winemaking as he wrapped up his education. Boone also talks about the pride he feels being part of the industry and about how his role has evolved and progressed. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on February 12, 2026.
- podcast· 1h 40m· Ep 864
Nicolas Quillé: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Nicolas Quillé of Crimson Wine Group. In this interview, Nicolas speaks about his upbringing in France and his extensive wine education. He then talks about coming to the United States for what he thought would be a short time, only to find himself wanting to stay in the American wine industry. He talks about work in both wine production and wine leadership, culminating in his role as Chief Operations Officers for Crimson Wine Group, which among other brands owns Archery Summit in Oregon. Nicolas also speaks about the books he has authored, the work that went into his becoming a Master of Wine, and how the wine industry is dealing with recent issues. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Archery Summit in Dayton on February 11, 2026.
- podcast· 1h 37m· Ep 863
Colt Deitrick: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Colt Deitrick. In this interview, Colt speaks about his background, growing up in a small town in western Kentucky before moving to Illinois, studying jazz piano and audio engineering in college, and eventually finding his way into the hospitality industry, where he discovered a passion for food and beverage. Next, he discusses his journey to Newport and Local Ocean Restaurant, starting as a bartender and working his way up to running the beverage program, including developing cocktails and focusing on technique and high-quality ingredients. Colt talks about his approach to creativity and collaboration, including working with different companies on branded wines, creating cocktail kits during COVID, and experimenting with new ideas that customers may not have experienced before. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Local Ocean Restaurant in Newport, Oregon on February 2, 2026.
- podcast· 1h 32m· Ep 862
Trevor Smith: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Trevor Smith. In this interview, Trevor speaks about his work in wine production around the world, including stints at Antica Terra in Oregon, Screaming Eagle in Napa, and elsewhere. He talks about what initially drew him to wine and the enjoyable hard work of wine production. Later he takes us through the places he has worked, including Champagne, England, and as a consulting winemaker in California. He talks about the challenges and successes of his career, and of finding his way back to his home state of Oregon. He talks about his work with his longtime friend Andrew Riechers on various projects, including Oregon brands Audeant, Sacred Shores, and Archer, and about what he still hopes to accomplish in his winemaking career. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University in McMinnville on January 27, 2026.
- podcast· 1h 09m· Ep 861
Travis Culley: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Travis Culley, a Linfield grad and local wine industry veteran. In this interview, Travis talks about attending Linfield in the 90s, beginning to work at Nick’s Italian Cafe the week before he started his freshman year, and all his adventures since then. Travis talks about being introduced to wine through Riesling while his dad was in the Air Force and his family lived in Germany. They later moved to Weston, OR near Pendleton, and Travis came to Linfield in 1990. The week before classes started, his roommate took him to Nick’s Italian Cafe to help clean up the kitchen. He ended up working there for the next 11 years. Travis discusses his involvement with IPNC and how he ended up in the background of a very famous picture outside of Nick’s. During a dinner with dozens of influential winemakers sometime in the late 90s, everyone gathered outside the restaurant to take a picture, and Travis stood on a chair on the other side of the window to be included. Later in th
- podcast· 1h 22m· Ep 861
Jackson Grom: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Jackson Grom of Abbott Claim. In this interview, Jackson speaks about his decision to attend UC Davis and focus on wine, the research he did there, and how it started his career. He then talks about his move to Oregon and his work for Results Partners, Lingua Franca, and a couple organic farms. He describes how much he learned about farming and viticulture, and about the skills he needed to develop quickly. Later, he talks about joining Abbott Claim in 2025, how the work has gone so far, and what comes next. He also talks about how he evaluates a vineyard, and the work that goes into keep on top of the annual vineyard cycle. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Abbott Claim in Carlton on January 20, 2026.
- podcast· 1h 22m· Ep 860
Ian Shapen & Leyla Ersan: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Ian Shapen and Leyla Ersan of Horse Devours. In this interview, Ian and Leyla talk about meeting at the University of Oregon, getting into the wine industry, and later starting their own label. Leyla talks about growing up familiar with wine and becoming more interested during college. After graduating, she went to Day Wines for a tasting and loved it so much she asked if they were hiring. She now acts as the general manager there, completing a variety of tasks depending on what is needed. Ian discusses attending the University of Oregon to get a degree in Digital Arts with a minor in Business. He met Leyla while at college and eventually joined her at Day Wines during harvest. In addition to now working at Antica Terra, he works as a freelance graphic designer. Later in the interview, Ian and Leyla talk about starting their own label together, Horse Devours. Thanks to Day Wines, they have connections to fruit growers and are able to utilize the winemaking facili
- podcast· 1h 25m· Ep 859
Phaedra Brucato: Oral History Interview
Phaedra is also a DJ, and treated us to a set during the interview. Here is the tracklist: 1. Rameses III - For Jose Maria 2. Ben Bondy - 미안해 with Sunny 3. Purelink - Looked Me Right In The Eye 4. Susumu Yokota - Tears of a Poet 5. Woob - Amoeba 6. 吉村弘 - To-Ki-Me-Ki (Heart Beats) 7. Priori - Segue 8. Steve Jansen & Richard Barbieri - Light Years 9. Priori - Like It Shouldn't 10. blu - Dubmarine 11. Mister Water Wet, Memotone, Ben Bondy, AV Moves, Concave - Hourglass 12. Saint Abdullah and Jason Nazary - Lost In Your Neck 13. Woob - Pondlife 14. 吉村弘 - Hi-Mi-Tsu (Secret) (Prieto Mix) 15. Ben Bondy feat. Opheliaxz - XO Salt Llif3 —— This interview is with Phaedra Brucato of Optimum Volume Wines. Phaedra talks about her background growing up in Seattle and Southern Oregon and moving around a lot. She discusses studying at Tufts University, earning her BA and BFA, living abroad in China, and originally wanting to pursue art. Phaedra also shares how living in Boston and working in fine dinin
- podcast· 1h 05m· Ep 858
Emily Howard: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Emily Howard of Hayward. In this interview, Emily talks about growing up in McMinnville, discovering wine, and helping to open restaurants in her hometown. Emily talks about her first job in hospitality at Pizza Hut in McMinnville. She immediately fell in love with the fast-paced energy of the job and the variety of people she met and worked with. Emily discusses becoming the wine buyer for El Gaucho in Portland. From this experience she began to focus on food and wine rather than restaurants in general. She spent some time working in London and Seattle before moving back to McMinnville and opening Thistle. Later in the interview, Emily talks about meeting Kari Shaughnessy of Mac Market, and working together to open Hayward. Originally, Emily worked to design service protocols for the employees, and later she took on wine buying responsibilities as well. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University’s Nicholson Library on October 14, 2025.
- podcast· 1h 57m· Ep 857
Taralyn and Cyler Varnum: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Taralyn and Cyler Varnum, with Varnum Vineyards. Taralyn and Cyler talk about their early lives and the paths that led them into wine, including Cyler’s background in agriculture, studying abroad, and working in tasting rooms, as well as Taralyn’s journey as a chemist and longtime teacher before transitioning into the wine industry full time. Next, they discuss their journey as a couple, moving across different states, starting a family, and balancing work, education and winemaking before eventually settling in Oregon and purchasing their vineyard property. Taralyn and Cyler talk about building Varnum Vineyards, opening their tasting room, experimenting with non-alcoholic wine, creating family-friendly products, and their goals for the future of the winery. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Varnum Vineyards in Amity on January 12, 2026.
- podcast· 1h 01m· Ep 856
Kevin Bibler & Heather Anderson-Bibler: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Kevin Bibler and Heather Anderson-Bibler, with HeaVin Estate Vineyard. They share how they found their way into the wine industry, their backgrounds growing up in the Pacific Northwest, and how family, education, and travel shared their pathway into winemaking. Kevin and Heather talk about their journey into wine, including Kevin’s first time studying and traveling in Italy, Heather’s background in education, and counseling, and how both of them decided to leave their original careers to try something completely new together. Next, they discuss building HeaVin Vineyard from the ground up, learning viticulture and winemaking along the way, managing harvests, producing their wines, and creating a tasting room experience that feels welcoming and fun for the community. Kevin and Heather talk about their future plans for the vineyard, including expanding production, building a winery and distillery on their property, marketing their wines beyond just Oregon, and what
- podcast· 1h 37m· Ep 855
David Harrelson: Oral History Interview
This interview is with David Harrelson, founder of Amaa Wines. David talks about his background growing up in the Pacific Northwest, including being born in Eugene, Oregon, growing up in Tacoma, Washington, before moving to Dundee, Oregon. He discusses his family, including his father being a mountaineer, spending much of his childhood outdoors, and how these experiences shape his connection to land and culture. David also talks about being an Indigenous tribal member and the importance of his cultural identity, traditions, and relationship to land. He discusses his work with his tribe, including working in cultural resource and later becoming a department manager. Next, David discusses his education and early career path. He talks about attending Lewis & Clarke College, being a rower, studying abroad in South Africa, and originally wanting to become a firefighter. He explains his time working seasonal fire jobs and how wine began as a side interest rather than a main career goal, also
- podcast· 46:32· Ep 854
Willamette Valley AVA 40th Anniversary: Special Episode
This conversation is with David Adelsheim about the 40th Anniversary or the Willamette Valley AVA. In this interview, David speaks about how the Willamette Valley AVA was established and dives into the intricate details of double petitions, nested AVAs, and the effect of the AVA on the wine industry. David finishes his interview by cheersing to 40 years of the Willamette Valley AVA. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on January 22, 2024.
- podcast· 1h 20m· Ep 853
A Conversation with Steven Spurrier: Special Episode
This is a discussion with Harry Peterson-Nedry about the Willamette Valley’s recent Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Status. In this interview, Harry speaks about how the status was attained, why it is important for Willamette Valley wines, and what it means for the future of Oregon wine. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Ridgecrest Vineyard in Ribbon Ridge on July 28, 2021.
- podcast· 41:28· Ep 852
The Willamette Valley's PGI Status: Special Episode
This is a discussion with Harry Peterson-Nedry about the Willamette Valley’s recent Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Status. In this interview, Harry speaks about how the status was attained, why it is important for Willamette Valley wines, and what it means for the future of Oregon wine. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Ridgecrest Vineyard in Ribbon Ridge on July 28, 2021.
- podcast· 53:24· Ep 851
Ryan Clifford: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Ryan Clifford of Alloro Vineyard and The Allison. Ryan talks about his early life growing up in Detroit, Michigan, where he developed interests in biology, animals, and aquarium science, which later influenced in his interest in wine. Next, Ryan discusses his education and career path, including attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, moving to Portland, Oregon and studying wine at Chemeketa Community College, transferring to Oregon State University, and completing the WSET coursework at Linfield University. Ryan also talks about his first harvest experience in the Willamette Valley, the pandemic and how it caused him to move back to Michigan, interrupting an internship, and eventually moving back to Oregon for a job at Élevée. He now works as an assistant winemaker for Alloro Vineyard and at The Allison as a sommelier for Jory. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Alloro Vineyard in Sherwood, Oregon on January 6, 2026.
- podcast· 1h 18m· Ep 850
Mike Osborn: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Mike Osborn of Willamette Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Mike talks about starting “wine.com” and later becoming the CEO of Willamette Valley Vineyards. Mike shares about first becoming interested in wine through hospitality. While starting up software businesses, he would often go out to restaurants with clients or employers and drink wine. Mike talks about this interest in wine leading him to start a wine database software to help others more easily find the wines they were looking for. What began as eVineyard.com later became wine.com, and what initially was a database of about 1,500 wines has now swelled to around 40,000 wines. Later in the interview, Mike discusses becoming the CEO of Willamette Valley Vineyards. Through innovation and adapting to the current state of the industry, he hopes to improve Oregon’s claim over national wine markets both for WVV and for all Oregon brands. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Domaine Willamette in D
podcast· 1h 37m· Ep 849Ken Cook: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Ken Cook of Cherry Hil Winery. In this interview, Ken talks about how he got into the wine industry, and his work in the Oregon industry. Ken talks about his time in the Air Force working as a mechanic, and about his time as a firefighter. Time in Germany shaped his palate, and he became excited about the potential of working with wine. Later Ken talks about his winemaking education and his work at Cherry Hill, starting as an intern and ending as the head winemaker. He then talks about his retirement and what he's been up to after wine. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on Zoom on December 17, 2025.
- podcast· 1h 07m· Ep 848
Nick Konen: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Nick Konen, an alumnus of Linfield University and a vineyard manager in Oregon’s wine industry. Nick talks about his educational and career journey, including growing up in Beaverton, Oregon, attending Linfield because he wanted a smaller school, playing tennis, studying abroad, and majoring in business and sports management. He explains how an introductory wine class and further coursework at Chemeketa Community College helped spark his interest in viticulture, leading him to earn his WSET Level 2 certification and pursue vineyard management. Next, Nick discusses his professional experiences, such as working part time in international programs, teaching English abroad in Spain, learning Spanish, and eventually returning to Oregon to work at Forest Hills Farms in HR and compliance. He also describes learning hands-on vineyard practices, and managing the growth and sale of grapes. Nick also talks about his current work and interests, including continuing his work
- podcast· 2h 51m· Ep 847
Jerry Murray: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Jerry Murray, an Oregon-based winemaker. In this interview, Jerry talks about his background, his unconventional path into winemaking, and his philosophy surrounding lifelong learning, experimentation, and creativity into wine. Jerry talks about his early life and career, explaining that he originally worked in the sciences before moving to Arizona, where he worked various kitchen jobs. He describes how working wine dinners every few weeks helped spark his interest in wine, eventually leading him to move to Oregon and pursue winemaking as a balance between science and food. Next, Jerry discusses his education and early professional experiences. He shares that he is originally from Ohio, attended Ohio University, and was a track and field athlete who initially wanted to become a coach. He talks about attending graduate school and teaching anatomy before moving to New Orleans. Jerry also talks about his extensive winemaking journey, including working at Erath winer
- podcast· 1h 01m· Ep 846
Céline Fauveau Schaff: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Céline Fauveau Schaff of Fine Wine Circle PDX. In this interview, Céline talks about her background in science, food, and wine, and how her interests have evolved over time. Céline talks about being French-born and raised in Toulouse, France, where she studied biology, food science, and wine. She explains how she initially pursued wine analysis but found the work too practical, which led her to want to travel. After moving to London following her food science degree, she became involved in managing a wine exhibition. Next, Céline discusses her career path after graduating, including traveling and internships before moving to California for work while her sisters lived close by in Oregon. She explains that she visited Oregon on weekends to see them, during which, she became more connected to the wine industry, met her husband, and eventually decided to move to Oregon permanently. Céline also talks about her current work and future goals, including her involvement
- podcast· 1h 14m· Ep 845
Bethany Ford: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Bethany Ford of Illahe Vineyards. In this interview, Bethany talks about how she got into the wine industry, and why she prioritizes working both distribution and harvest. Bethany shares about getting her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Los Angeles, and how she go bit by the wine bug while there. While she grew up in Northern California, she traveled often to the Pacific Northwest and really loved the Portland area. Bethany talks about moving to Portland and joining the wine industry in 2005, working in the tasting room at Domaine Serene. After a few years she decided she wanted to work in distribution, and in 2007 she also began helping with harvest work. Later in the interview, Bethany discusses coming to Illahe Vineyards in 2009 to help with distribution, bring the tasting room plans into fruition, and take part in the harvest process. She talks about the importance of relationships and community in the industry, and how both help her to succeed. This interv